14 Mexican Chain Restaurants That Are Taking Over The US

We're guessing, though, that a significant portion of Mexican restaurants in the US are run by a limited number of chain restaurants that have become very common in the US food scene.

While well-known Mexican chain restaurants like Taco Bell, Chipotle, and QDoba dominate the scene, a number of lesser-known but rapidly growing chains are starting to make a name for themselves. Original taco shops from Texas are expanding nationwide, and certain burrito and fajita chains are gaining popularity. We're fortunate to live in an era with so many great Mexican food options readily available - and you might just discover your new favorite chain among them.

Expect to see a lot more Condado Tacos in the future. Although it's only been around since 2014, the taco chain has seen rapid growth with over 50 locations across the Midwest in just a decade. In the last few years, the company has particularly thrived, opening 10 new locations in 2023 alone, expanding its total restaurants by over 25%. In addition, Condado Tacos has stated its intention to open 12 new units each year going forward, which would put one soon in your area if this pace continues.

It's evident that Condado Tacos is gearing up for expansion by leveraging new technologies. In late 2024, Condado Tacos partnered with PAR Data Central to streamline its operations and enhance food cost tracking. The purpose of this data system is to ultimately broaden the scope for the company's growth, and we have little question that it'll make a significant impact.

Bubbakoo's Burritos

Bubbakoo's Burritos dish of Crispy Chicken Burrito or its Birria Fries are quite a departure from its other more traditional options. However, its bold menu items are undeniably proving to be crowd-pleasers. Bubbakoo's Burritos has expanded to over 100 locations in a total of 15 different states.

What really stands out about Bubbakoo's Burritos is the rapid expansion it's undergone in recent years. The company has successfully launched 17 new locations in 2023 alone, with a further 14 added by June 2024. With even more eateries in the pipeline, Bubbakoo's is looking to establish a strong presence in the Midwest. Its growth plans also include considering non-traditional restaurant sites, including food courts and transit locations, to reach even more customers.

Taco John's

Things are about to get exciting for Taco John's over the next few years. Thanks to a few recent developments, the brand is poised for explosive growth. One key factor is Taco John's ambitious expansion efforts, which have already seen 16 new locations open in 2023, with many more popping up since 2020 - a remarkable achievement given the challenges of the post-pandemic economy. The other is the appointment of a new CEO, Heather Neary, who has made growth her top priority for this beloved brand.

Neary is particularly focused on analyzing how Taco John's can appeal to younger customers who will play a crucial role in shaping its future. The company aims to attract these younger customers while simultaneously supporting its current franchisees in increasing their profitability and success. It's evident that under Neary's leadership, Taco John's will continue to endure and flourish as a brand.

Chuy's

Darden Restaurants submitted a bid to purchase Chuy's, and in October 2024, the restaurant franchise was acquired by Darden in a deal that included over 100 locations.

It seems that this acquisition is already yielding positive results. A renowned Texas-based chain has announced the opening of several new restaurants in 2025, including locations in South Austin and East Dallas. Additionally, a 210-seat Chuy's restaurant will be opening in Kyle, a quickly growing city just outside of Austin, with the goal of becoming a fixture in the community. With this expansion, Chuy's is solidifying its presence in Texas and is poised to soon have a location near you.

Torchy's Tacos

It's certainly impressive to see small, independently owned businesses achieve significant success and rapid growth. The success of Torchy's Tacos is a prime example of this phenomenon. It all began back in 2006, when founder and current CEO Mike Rypka started selling tacos from a food truck in Austin, Texas. Over the course of almost two decades, Rypka has overseen the expansion of his business to more than 110 locations across a couple of dozen states, all without using a traditional franchising model.

The credit for Torchy's success can be attributed to its commitment to using extremely fresh and high-quality ingredients, which has enabled the company's owner, Rypka, to confidently predict an annual growth of 10-15% in the future. Even though the brand has Texas roots, it has big plans for national expansion. Torchy's Tacos aspires to have over 1,000 locations nationwide, without intended growing as large as massive chains like Taco Bell, but the sky is truly the limit for this upscale taco chain's future growth.

Hot Head Burritos

Hot Head Burritos is singularly focused on serving up fantastic food. This approach has propelled the Ohio-based chain, which began as a single location in 2007, to become a thriving business with over 80 locations across the US. A relatively deliberate and measured pace of growth has helped Hot Head Burritos gradually build its brand recognition and lay a strong foundation for the future.

It appears that Hot Head Burritos' slightly slower expansion strategy is likely to pay off in the next few years. In 2025, the company is planning a significant expansion into four new states, including its home state of Ohio, which will bring the total number of new locations to 20. This represents a 20% increase from its current number of locations. The company has been steadily growing since last year, and its efforts to reward loyal customers, such as through a loyalty program and by hosting contests to win free trips, have paid off in increased growth.

Velvet Taco

Velvet Taco is definitely a restaurant you'd love to hang out at. From its catchy branding to its vibrant, super photogenic stores that cry out for Instagram posts, this place exudes coolness - but let's get down to basics, it's the food that truly matters, and Velvet Taco really knocks it out of the park. In fact, its growth has been impressive in recent years, with a significant 24% increase in sales from 2022 to 2023. By early 2024, the company had already expanded to 46 locations, and was introducing its brand in seven different states.

So what's in store for Velvet Taco's future? To put it simply, bigger and better. By 2030, the company aims to expand to around 200 locations, nearly quadrupling in size over the next five years. However, Velvet Taco is partial to breaking the mold of a typical fast-food chain. Their goal is to be recognized for the high quality of their menu offerings and the one-of-a-kind experience they provide to customers. If done correctly, this focus on customer satisfaction is sure to propel this brand to new heights.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop

If we were asked a few years ago whether Fuzzy's Taco Shop would become a ubiquitous restaurant, we probably would have said no. The pandemic was tough on many dining establishments, and it particularly affected this taco chain. Since then, Fuzzy's Taco Shop unit count decreased from 146 by the end of 2019 to 132 by the end of 2023, and despite being acquired by Dine Brands in 2022, the prospects for the restaurant didn't look very promising.

A major shift is on the horizon for Fuzzy's Taco Shop. The chain is planning an aggressive expansion with two deals that will see the introduction of 40 new locations across Texas and Arizona over the next eight years. This will be the company's largest number of restaurants to date. Additionally, 2025 has been slated as a year of growth, with the introduction of Fuzzy's concept to new markets and customers who have yet to experience it. It appears that closing some underperforming locations ultimately proved beneficial for the company, allowing it to reinvest and look to a more promising future.

Fajita Pete's

Fajita Pete's has been around since 2008, but it wasn't until 2015 that owner Pedro "Pete" Mora truly saw the potential of his business take off. That's the year he introduced a new concept that concentrated his menu and emphasized its potential for growth, rather than trying to be a full-service restaurant. This change of direction was a wise move and has paid off remarkably, making Fajita Pete's a leader in the market with over 100 locations nationwide.

It looks like a lot is still on the horizon for Fajita Pete's. In early 2024, the company's franchisees will join forces with MBP Fajitas to form a partnership that will make Fajita Pete's food available to even more people throughout Texas. At the same time, the brand is also expanding in Austin, opening its third location in the area. Interestingly, Fajita Pete's isn't limited to just Texas either - the chain has now also opened restaurants in Chicago and Pittsburgh, and has even made inroads in Puerto Rico. A key factor in its rapid growth has been its ability to innovate and evolve, as seen in its recent adoption of AI technology to enhance its catering services.

Taco Palenque

It's not shocking that someone who knows how to run a successful chain of Mexican restaurants has succeeded with their new restaurant, but what's more surprising is how slowly it's expanded. In nearly 40 years of operation, Taco Palenque has grown to around a few dozen restaurants, allowing it to maintain its neighborhood feel while still achieving success across Texas.

It appears that the next several years are going to be significant for Taco Palenque. The restaurant has flagged itself as currently in a growth phase, with new locations opening. Plans are in place to open many more: Taco Palenque has multiple new locations set to open in 2025, indicating a commitment to expanding its reach more quickly. For now, these new locations are in Texas, but it will be interesting to see how far the Taco Palenque brand will spread in the future.

BURRITOBAR

Watch out for the name BURRITOBAR popping up all over the place soon. This burrito chain may be a mystery to most Americans for now, but it's backed by a well-known company in Canada: barBURRITO Fresh Mexican Grill, which is already a big deal there with over 325 locations. They've been eyeing the US market since 2020 and have been slowly bringing their BURRITOBAR brand to the States.

We're really hoping it does well: Based on its menu alone, with a variety of burritos and bowls that look incredibly appetizing, this place seems like a sure bet.

District Taco

You may not be familiar with District Taco just yet, but you might be soon. The chain's story begins in 2009, when Mexican immigrant Osiris Hoil launched it as a food truck in Rosslyn, Virginia. As soon as people fell in love with Hoil's food, the chain started to expand. Fast forward 15 years, and District Taco now has locations in several states in the mid-Atlantic region. 2024 was a big year for the chain, with plenty of new units opening and a major investment in marketing and improving the customer experience.

The groundwork laid will pave the way for some promising years ahead. Looking forward to 2025, District Taco is poised to significantly expand beyond its northeastern roots by opening a new location in Kissimmee, Florida. This expansion represents a major milestone in the taco chain's growth plans, aligning with its long-term vision. Several other District Taco units are in development as part of the company's goal to have 150 locations by the year 2030.

Surcheros

In a landscape dominated by large Mexican chain restaurants, Surcheros stands out as a smaller but still formidable player. Since its founding in 2007, the company's first location in Douglas, Georgia, was an instant hit. Just a decade later, Surcheros began expanding through franchising, which helped fuel its growth. Today, the chain boasts 30 locations, a notable accomplishment that still lags behind the thousands of units some other Mexican food chains have established.

Don't count Surcheros out just yet, folks, as underdogs often turn out to be winners in the long run. In fact, 2024 was a big year for them, with almost 10 new locations opening up, marking a significant expansion of their business. Looking forward, 2025 is shaping up to be an even brighter year, with at least a dozen new restaurants planned. On a larger scale, Surcheros is looking to open about 100 new locations in the not-too-distant future. It seems like their success is just gaining steam, so keep an eye out for big things from them in the coming months.

Rusty Taco

Rusty Taco is on a real hot streak right now. Despite having been around since 2010, the chain had experienced a decline in recent years. It had lost some of its initial excitement, but everything changed in 2024. A fresh boost in the form of new locations and a new president, Daniel Smith, led to a renewed sense of vitality. Smith recognized the need for a shift towards a more modern and dynamic direction for Rusty Taco. He reformed his top team to match his high expectations.

The result of this translated into a 40% jump in Rusty Taco's growth in 2024. This should position the company to thrive in the years ahead. It's not a surprise to see the growth under Smith's leadership, which has brought a renewed emphasis on expansion while ensuring it's done in a sustainable manner. The impact of new leadership on a well-established brand that had lost its direction is really impressive, especially for a company offering affordable and popular tacos.

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